20 Best Books About Art History (2023 Update)

Your eyes will indeed be opened, and what you see in works of art will come newly alive when you have robert cumming, the former chairman of christie's international art studies, as your guide.with tremendous erudition and tart, provocative opinions, cumming zeroes in on the essential characteristics of more than 770 painters, showing us, for example, what it was that made rembrandt's art unique. he explains the conventions of narrative and iconography in western art, such as the representation of st. lawrence, who is always seen lying on a hot griddle. and cumming defines several hundred terms– both technical (gouache, sfumato, craquelure) and critical/historical (expressionism, mannerism, the hudson river school)– that so often mystify a viewer.cumming's no-nonsense guide is enlightening and entertaining; lavishly illustrated with the key works of hundreds of artists; concise and portable enough to use in the "field" (museums and galleries); and so substantial you will refer to it often at home.there is nothing like art.

This is your a to z guide to art! from cave paintings to pop art and modern masterpieces, this absorbing and beautiful art encyclopedia explores the development of art in spectacular detail. here’s what you’ll find inside the pages of this visually stunning art book: – covers every major movement in art from prehistory to the present day – each movement is tracked in a visual timeline that showcases its key paintings and notable artists, and explains its context — the major events in its evolution – each section ends with a stunning image of a masterwork and a curator's analysis that encapsulates its values, style, composition and subject matter – glossary of technical terms and a comprehensive index get ready to embark on a unique guided tour throughout the history of art. get to know more than 700 of the greatest artists, from michelangelo and monet to damien hirst and picasso. discover 2,500 of the world’s most iconic paintings, sculptures and other artwork that has shaken the art world through centuries and across continents. truly comprehensive in scope, art that changed the world presents the most remarkable art movements throughout history in chronological order and explains the social and cultural background of each period. turning-point paintings that triggered or epitomised each artistic movement are identified and explained, against a backdrop of influences — from admired techniques of an earlier artist to the changes in society that enabled new directions in art. a must-have for your bookshelf, this is an indispensable art reference book for art-lovers everywhere!

This new edition of discovering art history is an in-depth, comprehensive approach to art. the program includes an extensive survey of western art, studies of non-western art, as well as an introduction to art appreciation. engaging studio activities throughout the text are keyed to chapter content. this premier art history program will show students how the visual arts serve to shape and reflect ideas, issues, and themes from the time of the first cave paintings to the twenty-first century. the student book includes: in-depth profiles of artists, artistic periods, and movements vibrant maps, timelines, and diagrams student profiles for peer comparison of studio exercises

The most student-friendly, contextual, and inclusive survey is now personalized, digital, and mobile for today's students. art history 5th edition continues to balance formal analysis with contextual art history in order to engage a diverse student audience. authors marilyn stokstad and michael cothren- both scholars as well as teachers- share a common vision that survey courses should be filled with as much enjoyment as learning, and that they should foster an enthusiastic, as well as an educated, public for the visual arts. this revision is the strongest and most comprehensive learning program for measuring student progress and improving student success in attaining the outcomes and goals of the art history survey course. not only does the text address four overarching goals of the survey course, the new myartslab further develops and reinforces these outcomes and skills with market-leading learning tools such as personalized study plans for each student and multimedia assets geared towards addressing different learning styles and abilities, such as chapter audio, student videos, closer looks, architectural panoramas and much more. the end result is a complete learning program designed to increase students' success with a personalized, digital and a highly mobile learning experience. a better teaching and learning experience this program will provide a better teaching and learning experience–for you and your students. here's how: personalize learning – myartslab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program. it helps students prepare for class and instructors gauge individual and class performance. go digital — pearson custom etext provides instructors and students with a whole new online customizable learning experience. go mobile — make learning easy and convenient with our on-the-go etexts and key learning applications. improve critical thinking — key learning outcomes encourage students to think critically about visual arts as part of the larger world. engage students — updated scholarship, myartslab, and the readability of the text provide a wonderful engaging student experience. support instructors — with a wealth of online resources, instructors have videos, images, and teaching support materials to create a dynamic, engaging course. note: myartslab does not come automatically packaged with this text. if you want just art history portable book 6 with myartslab order the isbn below: 0205949371/ 9780205949373 art history, portable book 6 plus new myartslab with etext — access card package package consists of: 0205206565 / 9780205206568 new myartslab with pearson etext — valuepack access card 0205877567 / 9780205877560 art history portable book 6 if you want the complete art history with myartslab order the isbn below: 0205949487 / 9780205949489 art history plus new myartslab with etext — access card package package consists of: 0205206565 / 9780205206568 new myartslab with pearson etext — valuepack access card 0205873472 / 9780205873470 art history

Through the turbulent passage of time, graphic design–with its vivid, neat synthesis of image and idea–has distilled the spirit of each age. surrounding us every minute of every day, from minimalist packaging to colorful adverts, smart environmental graphics to sleek interfaces: graphic design is as much about transmitting information as it is about reflecting society's cultural aspirations and values.with his sweeping knowledge of the field, author jens müller curates the standout designs for each year, a running sequence of design milestones. this collection of important graphic works represents a long-overdue reflection on the development of a creative field constantly changing and challenging itself. these key pieces act as coordinates through contemporary history, helping us trace the sheer influence of graphic design on our daily lives.about the seriestaschen is 40! the 40 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our program–now more compact, friendly in price, and still realized with the same commitment to impeccable production.

This dazzling book showcases the history of modern and contemporary art using one hundred of the most significant art works–one per year–of the past 100 years.starting with marcel duchamp's 1919 whimsical, brilliant l.h.o.o.q., this compendium offers a year-by-year tour of iconic paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations, and performance pieces from all over the world. the works are carefully selected to showcase a diverse range of artists. read from cover to cover, this volume offers an evocative summary of stylistic trends, historic events, and technological innovations that changed art over the past 100 years. opening the book to any random page will illuminate a singular perspective and aesthetic delight. each work is impeccably reproduced and presented in double-page spreads alongside informative and engaging texts. from georgia o'keeffe and man ray to kara walker and ai weiwei, this unique survey will both satisfy and surprise art lovers everywhere.

Classic study surveys works of 64 major artists in terms of style, quality, and mode of representation. it features 120 black-and-white illustrations of works by botticelli, hals, holbein, rembrandt, velasquez, vermeer, and others. originally published in germany during the 1920s, this now-classic study surveys the works of 64 major artists in terms of style, quality, and mode of representation. a brilliant contribution to the methodology or art criticism, it features 120 black-and-white illustrations of works by botticelli, durer, holbein, rembrandt, velasquez, vermeer, and others.

Want to learn art history the creative way? gardner's art through the ages: a global history, 16th edition is the unique resource for you! exploring pivotal artistic works from the stone age to the modern era, readers have trusted the expertise in this text for more than 85 years. even better, the learning features make art history as colorful as the images on the page. use the scale feature to imagine art works in their true size. use the ebook to zoom in on fine image details like brush strokes just as the artists saw them. use google earth coordinates to find the location of famous works of art in their homelands. much more than an ordinary text, this resource combines scholarship and storytelling with youtube playlists, videos, flashcards, how-to writing resources, quizzing and other features that bring art history into focus and inspire success in your course.important notice: media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

Bring art to life with lessons that showcase the successes and struggles of legendary artists! highlights of this revised edition include – up-to-date information about art and the art world – new biographies on important artists kathe kollwitz, barbara hepworth, and romare bearden in addition this edition stil includes the features that have made this a best-seller! – builds an appreciation for major artists and art movements from the italian rennaisance to current times – captivates students with high-interest readings on artists and the cultural and personal forces that shaped their work – includes a full-colour insert highlighting timeless works of art.

In art: a new history, paul johnson turns his great gifts as a world historian to a subject that has enthralled him all his life: the history of art. this narrative account, from the earliest cave paintings up to the present day, has new things to say about almost every period of art. taking account of changing scholarship and shifting opinions, he draws our attention to a number of neglected artists and styles, especially in scandinavia, germany, russia and the americas. paul johnson puts the creative originality of the individual at the heart of his story. he pays particular attention to key periods: the emergence of the artistic personality in the renaissance, the new realism of the early seventeenth century, the discovery of landscape painting as a separate art form, and the rise of ideological art. he notes the division of 'fashion art' and fine art at the beginning of the twentieth century, and how it has now widened. though challenging and controversial, paul johnson is not primarily a revisionist. he is a passionate lover of beauty who finds creativity in many places. with 300 colour illustrations, this book is vivid, evocative and immensely readable, whether the author is describing the beauty of egyptian low-relief carving or the medieval cathedrals of europe, the watercolours of thomas girtin or the utility of roman bridges ('the best bridges in history'), the genius of andrew wyeth or the tranquility of the great mosque at damascus, the paintings of ilya repin or a carpet-page from the lindisfarne gospels. the warmth and enthusiasm of paul johnson's descriptions will send readers hurrying off to see these wonders for themselves.

In his fresh take on abstract art, noted art historian pepe karmel chronicles the movement from a global perspective, while embedding abstraction in a recognizable reality. moving beyond the canonical terrain of abstract art, the author demonstrates how artists from around the world have used abstract imagery to express social, cultural, and spiritual experience.karmel builds this fresh approach to abstract art around five inclusive themes: body, landscape, cosmology, architecture, and man-made signs and patterns. in the process, this history develops a series of narratives that go far beyond the established figures and movements traditionally associated with abstract art. each narrative is complemented by a number of featured abstract works, arranged in thought-provoking pairings with accompanying extended captions that provide an in-depth analysis. this wide-ranging examination incorporates work from asia, australia, africa, and south america, as well as europe and north america, through artists ranging from wu guanzhong, joan miró, jackson pollock, to hilma af klint, and odili donald odita. breaking new ground, karmel has forged a new history of this key art movement.

Principles of art history by heinrich w�lfflin (1864-1945), a revolutionary attempt to construct a science of art through the study of the development of style, has been a foundational work of formalist art history since it was first published in 1915. at once systematic and subjective, and remarkable for its compelling descriptions of works of art, w�lfflin's text has endured as an accessible yet rigorous approach to the study of style. although w�lfflin applied his analysis to objects of early modern european art, principles of art history has been a fixture in the theoretical and methodological debates of the discipline of art history and has found a global audience. with translations in twenty-four languages and many reprints, w�lfflin's work may be the most widely read and translated book of art history ever. this new english translation, appearing one hundred years after the original publication, returns readers to w�lfflin's 1915 text and images. it also includes the first english translations of the prefaces and afterword that w�lfflin himself added to later editions. introductory essays provide a historical and critical framework, referencing debates engendered by principles in the twentieth century for a renewed reading of the text in the twenty-first.

Note: you are purchasing a standalone product; myartslab does not come packaged with this content. that package includes isbn-10: 0133843750 / isbn-13: 9780133843750 and isbn-10: 0133847896 / isbn-13: 9780133847895. myartslab should only be purchased when required by an instructor. for art history survey courses the most student-friendly, contextual, and inclusive art history survey text on the market now in its sixth edition, art: a brief history continues to balance formal analysis with contextual art history in order to engage a diverse student audience. authors marilyn stokstad and michael cothren, both scholars as well as teachers, share a common vision that survey courses should be filled with as much enjoyment as learning, and that they should foster an enthusiastic, as well as an educated, public for the visual arts. by treating the visual arts as one component of a vibrant cultural landscape (which also includes politics, religion, economics, and more), art: a brief history helps students recognize and appreciate the central role that art and architecture have played in human history. also available with myartslab myartslab for the art history survey course extends learning online, engaging students and improving results. media resources with assignments bring concepts to life, and offer students opportunities to practice applying what they've learned. and the writing space helps educators develop and assess concept mastery and critical thinking through writing, quickly and easily. please note: this version of myartslab does not include an etext. art: a brief history, sixth edition is also available via revel, an immersive learning experience designed for the way today's students read, think, and learn.

Hardcover, 480 pages, published december 2017. history is a complex business. fortunes boom and bust, empires wax and wane, and change-whether social, political, or technological-has its winners, its losers, its advocates, and its enemies. through all the turbulent passage of time, graphic design-with its vivid, neat synthesis of image and idea-has distilled the spirit of each age. this book is an in-depth history of graphic design from the end of the 19th century to the '50s. it traces the evolution of this creative field from its beginning as poster design to its further development into advertising, corporate identity, packaging, and editorial design. organized chronologically, the volume features over 2,500 seminal designs from all over the world, 71 of which are profiled in detail besides 61 leaders in the field, including alphonse mucha (chocolate advertisements), edward johnston (london underground logo and typeface), el lissitzky (constructivist graphics), herbert matter (photomontage travel posters from switzerland), saul bass (animated opening titles), and a. m. cassandre (art deco posters). with his sweeping knowledge of the field, author jens muller curates the standout designs for each year alongside a running sequence of design milestones. meanwhile, in his introductory essay, david jury situates graphic design from its point of origin in early printing, engraving, and lithography to striking creative developments in the 19th century. each consecutive decade is then prefaced by a succinct overview as well as a stunning visual timeline, offering a vivid display of the variety of graphic production in each decade as well as the global landscape which it at once described and defined.

An authoritative history of art history from its medieval origins to its modern predicamentsin this wide-ranging and authoritative book, the first of its kind in english, christopher wood tracks the evolution of the historical study of art from the late middle ages through the rise of the modern scholarly discipline of art history. synthesizing and assessing a vast array of writings, episodes, and personalities, this original account of the development of art-historical thinking will appeal to readers both inside and outside the discipline.the book shows that the pioneering chroniclers of the italian renaissance—lorenzo ghiberti and giorgio vasari—measured every epoch against fixed standards of quality. only in the romantic era did art historians discover the virtues of medieval art, anticipating the relativism of the later nineteenth century, when art history learned to admire the art of all societies and to value every work as an index of its times. the major art historians of the modern era, however—jacob burckhardt, aby warburg, heinrich wölfflin, erwin panofsky, meyer schapiro, and ernst gombrich—struggled to adapt their work to the rupture of artistic modernism, leading to the current predicaments of the discipline.combining erudition with clarity, this book makes a landmark contribution to the understanding of art history.

Art history is more than just a collection of dates and foreign-sounding names, obscure movements and arcane isms. whether you’re an art enthusiast who’d like to know more about the history behind your favorite works and artists, or somebody who couldn’t tell a titian and a de kooning—but would like to—art history for dummies is for you. it takes you on a tour of thirty millennia of artistic expression, covering the artistic movements, major artists, and indispensable masterworks, and the world events and cultural trends that helped spawn them. with the help of stunning black-and-white photos throughout, and a sixteen-page gallery of color images, it covers: the rise and fall of classical art in greece and rome the differences between renaissance art and mannerism how the industrial revolution spawned romanticism how and why post-impression branched off from impressionism constructivism, dadaism, surrealism and other 20th century isms what’s up with today’s eclectic art scene art history for dummies is an unbeatable reference for anyone who wants to understand art in its historical context.

Art history is more than just a collection of dates and foreign-sounding names, obscure movements and arcane isms. whether you’re an art enthusiast who’d like to know more about the history behind your favorite works and artists, or somebody who couldn’t tell a titian and a de kooning—but would like to—art history for dummies is for you. it takes you on a tour of thirty millennia of artistic expression, covering the artistic movements, major artists, and indispensable masterworks, and the world events and cultural trends that helped spawn them. with the help of stunning black-and-white photos throughout, and a sixteen-page gallery of color images, it covers: the rise and fall of classical art in greece and rome the differences between renaissance art and mannerism how the industrial revolution spawned romanticism how and why post-impression branched off from impressionism constructivism, dadaism, surrealism and other 20th century isms what’s up with today’s eclectic art scene art history for dummies is an unbeatable reference for anyone who wants to understand art in its historical context.

Paperback, 688 pages, published september 1995. the story of art, one of the most famous and popular books on art ever written, has been a world bestseller for over four decades. attracted by the simplicity and clarity of his writing, readers of all ages and backgrounds have found in professor gombrich a true master, and one who combines knowledge and wisdom with a unique gift for communicating his deep love of the subject. for the first time in many years the book has been completely redesigned. the illustrations, now in colour throughout, have all been improved and reoriginated, and include six fold-outs. the text has been revised and updated where appropriate, and a number of significant new artists have been incorporated. the bibliographies have been expanded and updated, and the maps and charts redrawn. the story of art has always been admired for two key qualities: it is a pleasure to read and a pleasure to handle. in these respects the new edition is true to its much-loved predecessors: the text runs as smoothly as ever and the improved illustrations are always on the page where the reader needs them. in its new edition, this classic work continues its triumphant progress tirelessly for yet another generation, to remain the title of first choice for any newcomer to art or the connoisseur.

Now in its second edition, this volume is an accessible introduction to the history of art. using an international range of examples, it provides the reader with a toolkit of concepts, ideas and methods relevant to understanding art history. this new edition is fully updated with colour illustrations, increased coverage of non-western art and extended discussions of contemporary art theory. it introduces key ideas, issues and debates, exploring questions such as: what is art and what is meant by art history? what approaches and methodologies are used to interpret and evaluate art? how have ideas regarding medium, gender, identity and difference informed representation? what perspectives can psychoanalysis, semiotics and social art histories bring to the study of the discipline? how are the processes of postcolonialism, decolonisation and globalisation changing approaches to art history? complete with helpful subject summaries, a glossary, suggestions for future reading and guidance on relevant image archives, this book is an ideal starting point for anyone studying art history as well as general readers with an interest in the subject.

Alert: before you purchase, check with your instructor or review your course syllabus to ensure that you select the correct isbn. several versions of pearson's mylab & mastering products exist for each title, including customized versions for individual schools, and registrations are not transferable. in addition, you may need a courseid, provided by your instructor, to register for and use pearson's mylab & mastering products. access codes access codes that are purchased from sellers other than pearson carry a higher risk of being either the wrong isbn or a previously redeemed code. it traces the trends and influences in painting, sculpture, photography and architecture from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. the seventh edition deepens its discussions on social conditions that have affected the production and reception of modern and contemporary art. learning goals upon completing this book, readers should be able to: understand the origins of modern art provide an analysis of artworks based on formal and contextual elements recognize the influences of social conditions on modern art note: mysearchlab does not come automatically packaged with this text.